Glen's Crunchy Pea Salad

Bright, fresh, and bursting with texture, Glen’s Crunchy Pea Salad is a crowd-pleasing side dish perfect for potlucks, picnics, or weeknight dinners. Featuring the natural sweetness of tender frozen peas paired with crispy bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, and crunchy sunflower seeds, this salad delivers layers of flavor and a delightful crunch in every bite. A creamy, tangy dressing made with mayonnaise, sour cream, and a touch of apple cider vinegar ties everything together, while finely diced red onion adds a subtle zing. Ready in just 15 minutes of prep time, this chilled masterpiece is the ultimate make-ahead salad to bring vibrant color and bold flavor to any table.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 4 cups frozen peas
• 6 slices bacon
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese
• 0.5 medium red onion
• 0.5 cup mayonnaise
• 0.25 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 cup sunflower seeds

Directions

Step 1

Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Drain on paper towels, then crumble into small pieces once cooled.

Step 2

Defrost the frozen peas by rinsing them under cold water in a colander. Drain well and set aside.

Step 3

Shred the sharp cheddar cheese into small pieces using a box grater, or use pre-shredded cheese for convenience.

Step 4

Finely dice the red onion into small, bite-sized pieces to avoid overpowering the salad's texture.

Step 5

In a large mixing bowl, add the mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Whisk together until the dressing is smooth.

Step 6

Add the defrosted peas to the bowl with the dressing. Mix gently to coat the peas evenly.

Step 7

Fold in the shredded cheddar cheese, diced red onion, crispy crumbled bacon, and sunflower seeds. Mix until fully combined, taking care not to mash the peas.

Step 8

Cover the salad bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 9

Serve chilled as a side dish, garnished with additional sunflower seeds or a sprinkle of crumbled bacon, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1138.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2630.5

Total Fat 189.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 49.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 26.6g
Cholesterol 315.0mg	0%
Sodium 3063.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 152.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 41.9g	0%
Total Sugars 49.1g
Protein 95.8g	0%

Vitamin D 7.7IU	0%
Calcium 1117.9mg	0%
Iron 12.9mg	0%
Potassium 2526.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 63.2%

Protein: 14.2%

Carbs: 22.6%